Danny Graham a perfect fit

FROM window fitter to Wearside hero in 10 years, it has been a long and winding road for new Sunderland striker Danny Graham.

New Start: Sunderland's Danny Graham in training with his new teammates

Martin O’Neill’s £5million capture from Swansea was playing non-League football and fitting windows for a living when he got the call from Middlesbrough to come for a trial a decade ago.

After failing to make a first-team place his own, Graham had to leave the Riverside in order to find regular football, so via Darlington, Derby, Leeds, Blackpool, Carlisle, Watford and Swansea he is now back in his native North-east. “I was a window fitter down at Team Valley (retail park),” he said. “I did it for eight months and it was good. I kept getting all the screws wrong and I only got paid coppers. I was just a little boy running around doing stuff. I did everything.

“But all I ever wanted to be was a pro footballer.”

Graham, 27, was a perplexing figure at Swansea where he scored goals on a regular basis, but could not hold down a regular place in Michael Laudrup’s side, despite an impressive strike ratio of 21 goals in 47 games. Eventually it was clear to him that he had to leave to seek first-team football elsewhere, but he remains confused over why he was sidetracked by the Swans boss.

Danny Graham returns to his native North-east this weekend with Sunderland

All I ever wanted to be was a pro footballe

Danny Graham

“It was very strange,” said Graham, who today awaits the arrival of Arsenal.

“The last few games I was on the bench and not getting a lot of first-team action which I thought I deserved. It was not meant to be and I am here now, a Sunderland player and I want to move forward.

“The reception I got at the Madejski Stadium on my debut was unbelievable and I just want to prove now how committed I am to the club.”